Alfredo Rodriguez (1) got the Patriots off to a hot start with a solo home run down the left field line in the top of the first inning.

Somerset added five runs in the second inning to take a 6-0 lead. Kyle Roller started the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left field. A bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Julio Borbon, an Endy Chavez sac fly, RBI infield single from Craig Massey and a bases-loaded walk to Yovan Gonzalez added the next four runs to increase Somerset’s lead.

Roller (6) launched a solo home run to left field in the top of the third that extended the lead to 7-0. York responded, however, in the next half inning on a three-run home run from Melky Mesa (5), trimming Somerset’s lead to 7-3.

The 7-3 lead held until the top of the eighth inning when two-out RBI singles from Chavez and Massey increased the Patriots’ advantage to 9-3. The Revs got one run back in the bottom of the eighth on a Mesa (6) solo home run to top off the scoring.

Both Danny Dorn and Massey finished the game with three hits each.

“I really loved our attitude today,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “When you are this close to securing something, you want to make sure you come out every day with that good energy and that good mindset. Defensively, offensively and pitching: everything we did today looked good. And we later added to our lead as well which put us in a good spot to win the ballgame.”

Duane Below (4-2) earned the win after allowing three runs over six innings with eight strikeouts. Pat McCoy (1-4) yielded seven runs over 3.1 innings to take the loss.

Somerset’s magic number to clinch a first half championship drops to three over the New Britain Bees and one over the Long Island Ducks with both teams scheduled to play later Sunday night.

The Patriots road trip continues on Monday when they travel to Waldorf, Maryland to take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. First pitch at Regency Furniture Stadium is set for 6:35 p.m.

The 2018 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on Friday, July 6th when the Patriots return to TD Bank Ballpark to take on the Road Warriors at 7:05 pm. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com

About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.